At Monday’s South Tama County school board meeting, Business Manager Katie Mathern provided the board with five-year financial projections. Main concerns centered around declining enrollment which in turn lowers the amount of state funding the district receives. Around $8,000 per student is the set amount the district receives from the state.

Both Mathern and Superintendent John Cain addressed opportunities to save money with operational sharing opportunities with other districts. Mathern’s mentioned to the board cutting expenses from the general fund, while making clear “I’m not saying salaries are where we need to cut.”

Rick Hopper brought up the amount of money the district loses with students open enrolling out of the district.

“Approximately 105 students, times approximately 8,000, roughly $840,000 we’re kicking out every year to open enrollment,” he said.

Board President Elizabeth Dolezal asked follow up questions and confirmed that cutting around $300,000 from the district’s general fund is their reality. Mathern concluded that tamping down on purchased services could be a big money saving strategy.

A student-run coffee shop that began this school year at the high school is up and running, making around $300 a day, according to Mathern. The work-based learning experience provided by the district has been a continued priority in the past few years.

After some further discussion, the board tabled any actions on offering early retirement, until after a financial workshop scheduled for Monday, Nov. 23 at 5 P.M. in the Partnership Center.

The next regularly scheduled meeting is set for Monday, Nov.16 at 5 P.M.